Luke 1 · Verse 19

Luke 1:19

And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
Luke 1:19, King James Version

Luke 1:19 in other translations

BSB“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
WEBThe angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
ASVAnd the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to bring thee these good tidings.
YLTAnd the messenger answering said to him, ‘I am Gabriel, who have been standing near before God, and I was sent to speak unto thee, and to proclaim these good news to thee,
DARBYAnd the angel answering, said to him, I am Gabriel, who stand before God, and I have been sent to speak to thee, and to bring these glad tidings to thee;
BBEAnd the angel, answering, said, I am Gabriel, whose place is before God; I have been sent to say these words to you and to give you this good news.
WebsterAnd the angel answering, said to him, I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak to thee, and to show thee these glad tidings.

What does Luke 1:19 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
19. Gabriel--signifying "man of God," the same who appeared to Daniel at the time of incense (Da 9:21) and to Mary (Lu 1:26). stand, &c.--as his attendant (compare 1Ki 17:1).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 19. I am Gabriel. The word Gabriel is made up of two Hebrew words, and signifies man of God. This angel is mentioned as having been deputed to inform Daniel that his prayers were heard. Dan 8:16, 9:21.

That stand in the presence of God. To stand in the presence of one is a phrase denoting honour or favour. To be admitted to the presence of a king, or to be with him, was a token of favour. So to stand before God signifies merely that he was honoured or favoured by God. He was permitted to come near him, and to see much of his glory. Comp. 1Kgs 10:8; 12:6; 17:1; Prov 22:29.

And am sent, &c. The angels are "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," (y) Heb 1:7,14. They delight to do the will of God, and one way of doing that will is by aiding his children here, by succouring the afflicted, and by defending those who are in danger. There is no more absurdity or impropriety in supposing that angels may render such aid, than there is in supposing that good men may assist one another; and there can be no doubt that it affords high pleasure to the angels of God to be permitted to aid those who are treading the dangerous and trying path which leads to eternity. Holiness is the same as benevolence, and holy beings seek and love opportunities to do good to their fellow-creatures. In the eye of holy beings all God's creatures are parts of one great family, and whenever they can do them good they rejoice in the opportunity, at any sacrifice.

These glad tidings. This good news respecting the birth of a son.

(y) Heb 1:14

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 19 I am Gabriel - This angel is mentioned, Dan 8:16; Dan 9:21. The original גבריאל is exceedingly expressive: it is compounded of גבורה geburah, and אל el, the might of the strong God. An angel with such a name was exceedingly proper for the occasion; as it pointed out that all-prevalent power by which the strong God could accomplish every purpose, and subdue all things to himself. That stand in the presence of God - This is in allusion to the case of the prime minister of an eastern monarch, who alone has access to his master at all times; and is therefore said, in the eastern phrase, to see the presence, or to be in the presence. From the allusion we may conceive the angel Gabriel to be in a state of high favor and trust before God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Luke 1:5-25

The father and mother of John the Baptist were sinners as all are, and were justified and saved in the same way as others; but they were eminent for piety and integrity. They had no children, and it could not be expected that Elisabeth should have any in her old age. While Zacharias was burning incense in the temple, the whole multitude of the people were praying without. All the prayers we offer up to God, are…

Read the full comment on Luke 1:5-25 →

Luke 1:19 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΚαὶKaiAndG2532
ἀποκριθεὶςapokritheisansweringG611
ὁhotheG3588
ἄγγελοςangelosangelG32
εἶπενeipensaidG2036
αὐτῷ·autōto him;G846
ἐγώegōI myselfG1473
εἰμιeimiamG1510
ΓαβριὴλGabriēlGabrielG1043
ὁhothe [one]G3588
παρεστηκὼςparestēkōsstandingG3936
ἐνώπιονenōpionbeforeG1799
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦtheouGodG2316
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀπεστάληνapestalēnI was sentG649
λαλῆσαιlalēsaito speakG2980
πρὸςprostoG4314
σὲseyouG4771
καὶkaiandG2532
εὐαγγελίσασθαίeuangelisasthaito bring glad tidingsG2097
σοιsoito youG4771
ταῦτα.tautathese.G3778

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Luke 1:19

  • Luke 1:26

    And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

  • Matthew 18:10

    Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

  • Daniel 8:16

    And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

  • Daniel 9:21-23

    Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

  • Luke 2:10

    And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

  • Hebrews 4:14

    Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
I am.
26; Da 8:16; 9:21-23; Mt 18:10; Heb 4:14
and to.
2:10

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Luke 1:18

    And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.

  • Luke 1:19

    And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

  • Luke 1:20

    And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

Read all of Luke 1

Luke 1:19 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y respondiendo el ángel le dijo: Yo soy Gabriel, que estoy delante de Dios; y soy enviado á hablarte, y á darte estas buenas nuevas.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et l’ange, répondant, lui dit: Moi, je suis Gabriel, qui me tiens devant Dieu, et j’ai été envoyé pour te parler et pour t’annoncer ces bonnes nouvelles.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und der Engel antwortete und sprach zu ihm: Ich bin Gabriel, der vor Gott steht, und ich bin gesandt worden, zu dir zu reden und dir diese gute Botschaft zu verkündigen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et respondens angelus dixit ei: Ego sum Gabriel, qui asto ante Deum: et missus sum loqui ad te, et hæc tibi evangelizare.